Cox makes TV Everywhere launch official

After a beta trial run late last year, Cox Communications has officially launched its TV Everywhere service, which is called TV Online.

TV Online offers free shows, movies and other video content from broadcast, cable and networks to Cox's video subscribers via the company's online Web portal. Cox is handling the authentication duties with its own in-house technology, while thePlatform's mpx is being used on the back end of the service.

The TV Online content requires no additional equipment but does need a Flash-supported browser, a Cox user ID and password, and a broadband connection for viewing content anywhere across the United States.

TV Online features shows from TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network and TruTV, as well as movies from HBO, Cinemax, Epix and Vutopia. Cox said many of the TV shows would be available for online viewing the day after their premieres.

"TV Online is yet another example of how we are making our customers' entertainment and communications flexible and customizable," said David Pugliese, senior vice president of product marketing for Cox Communications. "Cox customers can now easily view their favorite programs online, anytime and anywhere."

Cox video subscribers can also catch up on shows they missed or watch something new. Cox said the TV Online site was designed so that customers can find content quickly and easily by browsing through the thumbnail graphics or filter for TV shows or movies. They can further narrow their search by genre, network or show name – even by movie rating such as G or PG titles.

"ThePlatform developed a smart media management platform that allows each of our customers to approach 'TV Everywhere' initiatives in their own way," said Ian Blaine, CEO of thePlatform. "One of the exciting aspects of this deployment is the ability to present unified content search and discovery across a variety of programmers' video players. With mpx, Cox subscribers can watch premium video instantly, while the business policies and financial obligations between Cox and programmers are maintained."

Currently, most of Cox's online content can't be viewed on an iPad, although Epix has announced it will have an iPad viewing app available over the coming months.

HBO Go, which Cox launched with Max Go last month, is available for viewing on Apple and Android devices. A spokeswoman for Cox said this morning that Cox was working with several other networks that are in the process of creating viewing apps for smartphones and other devices.

"We are constantly adding convenience and value to our products," said Pugliese. "Cox customers can be confident that they will continually benefit from new and better ways to control and personalize their Cox services."